Women's experiences of miscarriage and termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly in Thailand: a phenomenological study

Background: Pregnancy is a major life event and the loss of pregnancy is an event with potential for adverse psychological outcomes. Although the understanding of grief after perinatal loss has progressed, there has been relatively little work specifically addressing the loss after miscarriage and termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly. Objectives: This study aimed to gain an understanding of experiences of miscarriage and termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly among a group of Thai women Study design: An interpretive phenomenology approach was taken using unstructured interviews with 12 women who had undergone termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly and 11 women who had experienced miscarriage in Chiang Mai province, Thailand. To gain the perspective of care the women received in the hospital, focus groups with 10 doctors and 10 nurse-midwives were conducted. Results: The data were analysed and interpreted using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The loss of hope is the essence of the women’s experiences of miscarriage and therapeutic termination. Three themes emerged from both groups: 1) facing the loss of hope, 2) gaining emotional balance, and 3) the need for intervention. Although the main findings are similar, significant difference between them is the context of pregnancy loss. While miscarriage is an inevitable event and needs urgent treatment, the diagnosis of fetal anomaly leads the women to have a feeling of ambivalence around the decision to terminate the pregnancy. Conclusions: This study reinforces the difficulties that women have from the traumatic events of miscarriage and termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly. The women need more in-depth knowledge and empathetic care from health professionals. Involving family members to support women in the labour unit can reduce the feelings of loneliness and insecurity. Recommendations: Health care professionals need to be educated to provide emotionally sensitive support for these women.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of East Anglia

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Chaloumsuk, Nonglak

Language dc:language

en